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Experts to Arrive for Foot-and-Mouth Disease - "Very Difficult Situation"

Published February 23, 2026, 12:08
Experts to Arrive for Foot-and-Mouth Disease - "Very Difficult Situation"

Following instructions from President Christodoulides, a broad meeting was held at the Veterinary Services in Nicosia to address the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Representatives from various services, including the Veterinary Services, Police, Fire Department, and National Guard, attended the meeting. A coordinating body was established under the direction of the Veterinary Services, aiming for the effective implementation of preventative measures and limiting the spread of the disease to other livestock units. The Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Andreas Grigoriou, emphasized the importance of implementing biosecurity measures by livestock farmers to protect their animals. The situation was described as "very difficult," and European experts are expected to arrive on Tuesday to discuss potential new measures. Simultaneously, the possibility of the virus originating from non-controlled areas through animal feed is being investigated, with a corresponding investigation by the Police. The government considers the involvement of the Customs Department important for further control. Overall, coordinated efforts and the cooperation of all relevant services are considered essential for controlling the situation and preventing further spread of the disease in Cyprus.